KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has asked the Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) to functionalize 168 closed viable schools.
Presiding over Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) Board of Governors’ meeting here at the CM House, he appreciated that the Foundation has undertaken survey of 941 closed Government schools of Thatta, Badin, Jamshoro, Dadu and Sujawal district and submitted a detailed plan to operationalize 168 of these closed schools which have been found to be viable on the basis of demography. Some 35,000 students of remote areas would be benefited if these closed schools are opened.
He also appreciated that a similar survey is being conducted in Mirpurkhas; Tando Mohammad Khan and Tando Allahyar to open the closed schools to get over 25,000 out of school children to be enrolled.
The SEF Board discussed and approved the following:
The partnership with Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) and the Citizen Education Foundation allowing SEF to take over the earlier OMV managed schools for the provision of quality education in desert areas of Ghotki, Saleh pat and Nara on sustained basis.
The introduction of ICT and Science, Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), integrated curriculum in Sindh government and SEF secondary /high schools through SEF and issued instructions that necessary financing may be secured for such an important intervention. He agreed with the proposal that the students studying in SEF-assisted and SELD run schools should gradually be acquainted the concepts of ICT-based integrated curriculum.
The “School Education Scholarship Programme for award of scholarship to 1300 meritorious students of SEF assisted and SELD run schools who perform well in SEF and government administered Assessments for getting post primary (Grade 6 to 12 level) education in the quality institutions like Sukkur IBA University Community Colleges/ Public Schools across Sindh.
The Collaboration with UNDP for education, employment and empowerment of youth through dedicated intervention targeting approx. 15,000 youth.
The chief minister approved the budget revised estimated 2017-18 of Rs6.225 billion and estimate budget of Rs9,597.721 million for 2018-19.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Education is central to development and in this regard, Foundation has visibly put in commendable efforts. These efforts need to continue in the overall interest of our communities and overall development in the province.